Truck weight blitz continues in Oregon

Until Friday night, Nov. 20, the Oregon Department of Transportation Motor Carrier Division will be weighing trucks around the clock on Interstate 5.

Since Wednesday, DOT staff has been conducting a 72-hour blitz to enforce weight laws and to educate truckers about unevenly distributed loads, expired permits and other common mistakes.

“Although our staff performs this type of work every day, intensive operations like this help reinforce the message that weight and safety compliance are our top priority,” Ed Scrivner, ODOT motor carrier field services manager, said in a statement.

Enforcement activities also help preserve highways and bridges, he said.

Oregon charges a weight-mile tax on commercial vehicles instead of a fuel tax. Proceeds go into the road and bridge fund.

“Although the majority of trucking companies operating on Oregon’s highways abide by Oregon law and have compliance-conscious drivers, an intensive enforcement event like this can help identify those who are not,” Scrivner stated.